Electric switch



Jne 21, 1938. J. G. PETERSON 2,121,570

I ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Nov. a, 1954 2 sheets-sheet 1 .June 2l, PETERSON 2,321,570

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Nov. 8, 19M 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 21, 1938 'y s rrArE-s o-I-Ficla 251213570 .ELECTRIO ySWITCH v Johann G. Peterson, West Hartford, Conn.

-ApplicationNovember 8, '1934, VSerial No. `751,995

v25 Claims.

".l'My invention `relates to electric. switches.

4Ithas.-amorigcits objectstoprovide an improved `@switchespecially:adaptedlto use in portable electric hot plates, or ranges, wallxswitches,or the .5 like, eanda/more particularly, an improved switch off-this itype'fhavingspaced on 'positions and a ucentral .foff position. lA further object of my :invention -is `to provide an improved switch Aof l.this type which, vas compared with previous flosswitches of -this type, is of an improved and :markedly more compact construction, while of increased capacity, aseompared with `previous .fswitchesof @this size. 'Other objects -of my inventon are to-.provide such an fimproved yswitch re- .1.5 fquiring lonlyfa single springand` having improved -cam mechanism :andiimproved automatic means fior-.insuring :the throwing of the switch, as well :as an improved structure and arrangement of the :commutator contacts and contact carrying .20 parts, whereby'all;oftherinsulation is in the com- .imutator :anda-.terminal carrying cover while all Iofthefrestof thenmechanism and casing is dead 4iii-such;mannerasfto 'eliminate any need forfan outer insulatingcasing. Further'objects are the 25 production of .such :an improved switch `which fdespitetsismallfsizes of nsuch .character as to .meet ,fthe '.'underwriters requirements previously incapable ofbeing fmetginfswitches of this size,

:and:a1soto provide raswitch whichisadapted to '30 .be manufactured -at lsubstantially 'smaller eX- pense than otherqswitches of .this class previously ,-produced. Theseand other objects and-advantages fof vmy Yimproved construction will, however, hereinafter more `fully appear.

In .thefaccompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration one embodiment awhichmyinventionfmay assume in practice.

lligure f1 i-s-a front view of myimproved switch;

fFig..2, is aplan view of the switch shown there- .ing-the'insulating'terminal plate being exposed :and .the actuating member-being illustrated in -vdiierentpositions in .full and dotted lmes;

Fig. v3 is a lsidefelevation of the switch of Fig- 45 .ure 2, the face plateb'eing omitted;

Fig.-4 is an end 4View of the switch shown in Figure 3, the actuating member being swung to the `fright into the on position;

(Fig. -5 isa sectional viewon line-5 5 of Figv50 ure 2, the vView being substantially enlarged as comparedwith that gure;

Fign isasectional View on line 6 6 of Figure l2, this .View also -being onthe scale of Figure 5;

Fig. '7 isa detailfsectional -view on line 1-1 of.

$555 Figure 6 IFig. 18 'is-aiview similar to yFigure 2, with the inf sulating :terminal carrying cover removed to ex- :pose fthe ycontact carrying commutator;

vFig.;9is;a- :view similar to Figure 8, butwith the commutator lifted ofcto exposefthe commutator .5

actuatingmechanism;

Fig ;10,-is a view similar to Figure 9, but with TJthe 'latter Imechanism lifted ofi -to expose the yoperating :mechanism carried bythe actuating *member' f l' Fig. 111 is `afplan -viewof vthe opposite side Offtherterminal and'contact-carrying plate from thatzshown in.;Figure.-2;

Fig. i12 iis an enlarged detail side elevational .viewgofthecommutator actuating mechanism;

.=Fig.j-1r3 fisa view of the latterat right angles to Figure 12, and f -.lig. :14 isya bottom-plan-view'of the mechanism .shownfin Figures'12land;13. f

YInLthis construction, itwill lbe noted that I have 20 .shownmyvimproved switch disposed in a frame orLcasingf-member I housinga suitable commu- ;tator,.-generallyindicated at `2 and carrying a :multiplicity fofA contacts lcooperating with con- 'tacts carried :on a `cover Yplate 3, .which in turn .25 carries suitable ',terminals, the casing vI herein g-havingga suitable face plate 4 attached thereto .and'qthefpswitchmechanism having an actuating member` projectingthrough a slot.6 in this plate llandoperativelyconnectedto actuate the com- 30 fmutator 2.with a snap. action through improved mechanism yhereinafter .-described.

Referring morevparticularly to the casing -I,. it .fwillfbe fnotedfthat this casing I herein ispref- Vverablyfmade entirelyof 4metal and comprises a 35 wbottom` xportion or plate -1'and upstanding spaced ,sides, 4while:both-,ends are open, and-oppositely fextendinglaterallugs 9 .are provided on the end .adjacentthe actuatingmember `to provide consnecting'-means .for screwsA Iconnecting the face .40 plateJl thereon. I.Herein also, the sides 8 are pro- .videdwithopenings I I therein beyond which the `contactspn the commutator 2 extend,.as indi- .catedin Figure 6,whi1e posts ,I 2 at opposite ends of. each sideare provided with upstanding lugs or l45 extensions I3 thereon which are adapted to be .bent over, as shown lin Figure .2, to position the `terr'ninal carrying plate 3 andiholdthe parts assembledto form a unitary structure.

Referring more particularly to the switch 50 .mechanism which .is carried in the casing I, it will be notedithatl the same -includesa notched ,plate IA Vresting flat on the bottom 'l inside the ,latter ,and suitably vattached thereto as by rivets 15. ,'.Herein .this plate AIltis cutouttoprovide a -55 central flat bottomed, round recess I6 having `a series of peripheral, rectangular notches I'I, I8 and i9 disposed on opposite sides thereof and spaced from one another, as illustrated in Figure 10, with the bottom of each notch preferably disposed as herein in the same plane as the bottom of recess I6. Disposed axially of this recess I6 is a stud I9 suitably xed at its lower end in the bottom 'I and projecting upward therefrom to a point slightly beyond the top of the insulating plate 3. Further, rotatably mounted on this stud is a hub portion 2D on the actuating member 5, which rests flat on the bottom of the recess I6 and is movable therein to permit the member 5 to occupy any of the three positions illustrated in Figure 2. Herein it will also be noted that the actuating member 5 is slightly raised with respect to the hub portion as by bending up the shank of the actuating member so that it moves above the adjacent portion of the plate I4. As shown, the hub 28 also carries oppositely disposed arms or projections thereon having fiat bottoms turning on the bottom of the recess I6 and'rounded tops forming cams 2l which rotate with the member 5 and hub 20 from the dotted line position indicated at A in Figure 10 through the full line position illustrated therein to the dotted line position indicated at B in that gure to actuate the contacts and ratchet as hereinafter described.

Moreover, it will be noted that the hub portion 20 has thereon an upstanding member' or'lug 22 on the side thereof diametrically opposite the actuating member 5 and that this lug projects upwardly a substantial distance, as illustrated in Figure 5, to permit it to cooperate with other elements of improved switch actuating mechanism hereafter described.

Referring more particularly to the actuating mechanism, it will be noted that the same includes a combined cam and contact actuating mechanism herein including a member 23 journaled as at 29 on the stud I9 just above the hub portion 28. Moreover, it will be noted that this member 23 is provided with a pair of upstandlng parallel arms 25 on opposite ends thereof and having bent upper ends 26 carrying upstanding projections 21 on their extremities. Herein it will also be observe-d that a cam carrying member 28 is seated on the member 23 between the arms 25 and that this member has spaced lugs 29 at each side thereof disposed on opposite sides of one of the arms 25. Moreover, at right angles to these lugs and also on each side of the member ,28, cam carrying wing members, generally indicated at 38 are provided which extend outward and then downward in opposite directions laterally in such manner as to overlie and extend to opposite sides of the cam members 2| on the hub 23 of the actuating member 5. It will be observed that the members 30 are provided with oppositely sloping spaced cam surfaces 3| adapted to be engaged and ycooperate with these members 2l, while the members 30 are also provided between the cam surfaces 3 I ,but on the peripheries of the members 3Ilbeyond these surfaces 3 I, with depending lugs 32 adapted to `be received in different positions in the notches I'I, I8 and I9, and

to move vertically into and out of said positions. l

Acting upon the hub of the member 28 at one end and disposed coaxially outside a sleeve 33 xed to the member 23 and extending up through the member28, is a single coiled spring 34, the opposite end coils of which engage the hub of the member 23 and a washer which is. carried by the sleeve 33 and herein positioned by a removable notched spring washer 35 suitably seated in a groove 36 in the upper end of the sleeve, while the latter is also positioned by a like Washer 33 on the post I9'. Moreover, it will be noted that the spring 34 has its opposite extremities extended laterally in the same direction on opposite si-des of the upstanding projection 22 on the hub 20 and the adjacent arm 25 on the member 23. Thus, this spring is tensioned by the projection 22 whenever the actuating member 5 is moved about the stud I9 as an axis while also being compressed by the member 28 as the latter moves upward. Accordingly, whenever the actuating member 5 is swung to swing the cam members 2| and thereby raise the cams 3| and raise the lugs 32 vertically and release the same from any pair of the notches I'I, I8, I9, this single spring acts to swing the member 23 about the stud I9 as an axis laterally with a snap action through connections hereinafter described and thereby swings the movable commutator 2, while also forcing the member 28 and lugs 32 down in each new lateral position thereof to seat said lugs in the proper notches ITI, I8 or I9. f

Referring more particularly to the commutator 2, it will be noted that the latter is rotatably mounted on the stud I9 above the washer 33 and that the commutator 2 has improved means for rotating the `same thereon asv the arms 25 are rotated by the spring 34upon movement of the actuating member 5. More particularly, it will be noted that the projections 2'I on the arms 25 are received in oppositely located'notches 38 in the commutator member 2, so that the commutator 2 Will move in either direction with a snap action as the lugs32 move between different positions relative to the notches I1, I8, I9. It will also be noted that the commutator herein is in the form of a single thin insulating disc and has an elongated axial eyelet or sleeve 39 therein journaled on the stud I9', andan outer shorter sleeve 39 attached to the outside of the upper end of the eyelet 39 by turning over the upper end thereof. This commutator disc herein also has a plurality of multiple contact members 40 thereon, herein superimposed in pairs disposed on opposite sides of a -central line passing through the center of the notches 38. v Herein it Will also be noted that each of these four contact members 48 is identical, and that two of the latter are provided on each face of the commutator. Moreover, each has projecting contacts 4I, 42, 43 or 4I', 42', 43 overlying like contacts on its companion member 4B disposed on the opposite side of the commutator1 disc 2, while the two cooperating members 48 on each side ofthe center line are suitably connected to each other and the disc 2, as, for example, by rivets 40. Thus it will be noted that on each side of the center line mentioned, three pairs of spaced contacts of some resiliency are provided projecting radially from the disc and spaced from one another in such manner as to enable each pair to receive between them in different rotative positions of the commutator, a cooperating stationary contact hereinafter described and carried on the cover or terminal plate 3. Moreover, it will be noted that the contacts 4I, 42, 43, or 4I', 42', 43 are disposed at equal distances from one another, and that the same are free to move in opposite directions about the axis of the'stud I9' as the commutator 2 is caused to be moved in either direction with a snap action by the actuating mechanism therefor,

`heretofore described, and actuated by the movement of the actuating member 5.

TED

amalgam `.Cooperating with Y.this commutator 2 :fare `also `improved stationary contacts. `Herein ethese contacts are .oarriedfon the cover l.plate -3, :which is also a thin insulating aplate, and these contacts comprise .a .plurality of stationary1contact .por-

tions 44, 45, 136, 4-1 fand V48-disposediparallel .to-the plate and .spaced itherefrom, .as yillustrated in FigureiS; As shown,-eachccontact .portionris connected to .the'plate by'afsuitable terminal vshank t9 .extending upward'ithrough a suitable aperture 5B in 'the plate 3, .and each shank :also has .a Alaterally .deiected vterminal .portion 15| 'thereon 4on :the outer face of :the .plate .3 .and vprovided with oppositely located downturned vportions P52 extending down through suitable apertures 5-3 in '-the fplateand turned Vover .on'the inside -of 'the Ylatter as shown at .54. 'vl-IeretalsoLitwill .benoted `.thatfbinding.screws144', 45', 46%,-'41 yand 48 are -carried on these terminal -plates'to enable ythe connections of conductors forathe contacts 44,45, "46, 47 and .48.

Attentionhere is also directed to .the fact'that the apertures'50 for the Shanks 49 are elongated as shown iin Figure 1'1 to permit both each shank ligandeach adjacent :binding screw'to fextend downward through opposite ends of @the same aperture. Also,.it vwill be noted that the cover plate i3 is suitably positioned .on the Stud by a removable .washer155similar to the washers 35 and 33', land receivable iin a suitable bein its central 01T position 'illustrated in full lines in Figure 2, the switch mechanism will be actuated when the member "5 -is moved into any of the positions shown in that gure `Withthe parts in oi position, the actuating 4me1nber"5 and cams 2| will be in theposition shown in full lines in Figure l0, while the commutator will be in the position illustrated yin Figure18, and

Ythe commutator actuating mechanism lactuatedy by the cam members 2l and upstanding projection 22, will be in the position shown in Figure 9. More particularly considering the operation and assuming the actuating memberi 'to `be swung from its central 01T -position toward the upper dotted line position shown in Figure 2, vthe cams 2| will move counter-clockwiseV from the position shown in Figure "10 -intoengagement with diagonally disposed cam surfaces tSlfonfthe member 30 in suchmanneras'l to raise the latter member vertically and thereby cause the vdepending lugs 32, which are lthen in engagement with oppositely located central notches |8\to be vraised. above those notches. As these lugs l32 are being thus raised to release the member l-313, it will be noted that the spring 34 is both tensioned and compressed, the same being tensioned by the movement of the projection 22 relative Ato the adjacent lug '25and being compressed l'by the vertical movement of the member 28 'by the cam members 2|. As a result, when the lugs 32 are lifted clear of `the Vnotches i8, the Fmember 28 will be swung by -the spring 34 from a -position over the notches I8 to a` position over the notches Il with a quick snap action, and, `when over the `latter notches, the depending 'lugs v32 :on the fmember C30 will be forced .down .as ythe compression on the spring ..34 is relieved, -in such `lmanner Vas sto seat these lugs .in the notches I'1. flurther, .it willbe evident thatasithe member128 .'isfthusswung with a snap aotion,.fit will similarly swing =the yfmember 23, while .the latter being connected throughthe extension v2.1 on its up- `:standing :arms .25 with 'the :commutator .2, the latter will .be- `rotated in a counter-clockwise ydirection v.with .a quick snap action fromzthe position shown lin Figure"18 into its next position. `More particularly, :it will .be .observed that in `this latter position, the .movable contact 3 'has :swept fover .both sides :of stationary contact 144 Tinto .engagement therewith, while movable conftacts .42, fill, .41', 42', similarly engages lstaltionaryfcontacts 45, 46,41, 48, respectively, and :movable contact S43 is then out of contact with any -stationary contact and vdisposed in aligniment with the 'longitudinal or off y.position of .the actuating `.member 5. Obviously, when the l.member f5 is reversely moved from the upper :dotted yline position shown in Figure 2 back to Athe central oir position shown .in full lines lin that Igure, the parts will be reversely operated 'to zreturn the same automatically and with a snap action, while 'if the actuating Vmember 5 is `then moved to the fother dotted lline fon .position shown in Figure v2, the parts ywill be oper- `ated similarly, itlbeing understoodthat when 'the `actuating member is swung in :one direction, herein toward lthe upper dotted position, the commutator A2 will be swung counter-clockwise, while when the member 5 is moved in the oppofsitedirection, -the commutator 2 will be swung clockwise, .and lthat in either position one of fthe -movable 'contacts on the commutator will `engage the contact 146. Further, it will be eviydent lthat .in either l'dotted line position, all of fthe movable contacts -save one will be -in engagement -with na stationary contact, and that the Ymovable contact then not in use will alternate between the movable contacts rv'43 and 43', depending upon `the direction of Amovement of the actuating vmember 5, movable Contact 43 being r vtheinactivecontact when actuating member 5 is moved to the upper dotted line positionof Figlure 2 and movable Contact 43 being the inactive lcontact when the actuating member 5 is moved vto the lower .dottedline position shown in that 1f.

figure.

.As a result -of my improved construction, it will be noted that `it `is made possible 'for the single spring .34 to function .not only as the actuatingmeans for actuating themovable contacts ,-L

:witha quick snap action beyond thecontrol of the operator moving the actuating member,'but also .to vactuate the movable member 28 which carries 'the depending lugs 32 vof the ratchet mechanism which-comprises these lugs and the notches l'l, i8 and i9, fthe structure being such 'as "to -oompress this .spring v34 at'the same time thatvthe latteristensioned and thereby enable it 4not yonly -to swing lthe Vmovable contacts as de- "soribed but `also `to seat the =1'ugs32 in 4their newf'l positions relative to -thenotches Here attention isalso-directed to the fact that the actuation yof the parts is not A.only such that the same will move `with certainty .from one position to another, lbut the arrangementof the raised portiond' ron'the shank of thevactuating member 5 islsuch relative to the :bent down ends of `the cams 3|` that, should there be any sticking of the con- 'tactsthis shank yportion will engage the portion fof theeigteriorof the adjacent cam 3l in -such manner as to provide a positive kick off for the same and the connected mechanism which is available in all movements of the actuating member 5. Furthermore, it will be observed that the structure including the stationary central stud and the coaxially disposed elements rotatable relative thereto, isv an exceedingly simple one and one which requires only a small number of parts and parts which are of a rugged construction and adapted to long operation without appreciable wear while being capable of being cheaply produced. It will also be observed that the structure is exceedingly compact and that, despite its compactness, it has a current capacity substantially greater than it has heretofore been possible to obtain in a switch of the same size. Attention is also directed to the fact that all of the mechanism save the movable and stationary contacts carried by the insulating plates, is dead electrically, so that the structure is not only safe but such as to permit it to be used without any necessity for an outer insulating casing such as has heretofore been provided in switches of this type. It will also be evident that with this construction, it is possible to vary the wiring or circuit connections readily within wide limits, as, for example, by connecting conductors to the terminals in such manner that, in one end position, the switch is adapted to connect the circuits for a high heat, while in the other end position a low heat is provided, or so that either circuit may be on while the other is off, or one circuit may be on in one end position and in the other end position two circuits will be on, all in such manner as to make the same adapted to use under a wide range of conditions as, for example, either in portable hot plates or ranges or wall switches or the like. Further, as regards size and cost, it will be apparent that the improved switch occupies substantially less space and can be furnished at a fraction of the cost of other switches heretofore believed to be required to meet the Underwriters requirements on portable hot plates and electric ranges. These and other advantages of my improved construction will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While I have in this application specically described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for illustrative purposes and that my invention is not limited to this embodiment but may be modied and embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:-

1. An electric switch having movable contact mechanism, cooperating releasable mechanism for holding said contact mechanism in its different positions, and actuating mechanism including an-.actuating member movable in reverse directions and having a single spring compressed and torsioned upon operation of said ratchet mechanism and having the compression and torsion forces thereof actuating said holding and contact mechanisms respectively when said member is moved in either direction- 2. An electric switch having movable contact mechanism, cooperating releasable mechanism for holding said contact mechanism in its different positions, and actuating mechanism including an actuating member movable in reverse directions, a single spring, and means operable when said actuating member is moved in reverse mechanism.

directions for tensioning and releasing said spring to actuate the movable contact mechanism therefrom and compressing and releasing said spring to actuate said holding mechanism therefrom.

3. An electric switch having movable contact mechanism, cooperating ratcheting mechanism having stationary and movable ratchet elements,

and actuating mechanism including an .actuating member movablel in reverse directions and having a single spring operatively connected to actuate said actuating mechanism. and move said movable ratchet element relative to said stationary ratchet element when said member is moved in either direction.

4. An electric switch having movable contact mechanism, ratcheting mechanism comprising a stationary ratchet member and a relatively vertically movable ratchet member cooperating with said stationary member for positioning said contact mechanism in different positions, and actuating mechanism including an actuating member movable in reverse directions for releasing said movable ratchet member, said actuating mechanism having a single actuating spring also operatively connected between said movable ratchet member and actuating member and moving said movable ratchet member vertically relatively to said stationary ratchet member.

5. An electric switch having movable contact mechanism movable in reverse directions, cooperating ratcheting mechanism therefor, a single spring, and means operable in reverse directions for tensioning and releasing said spring to actuate the movable contact mechanism therefrom `and compressing and releasing said spring to actuate said ratcheting mechanism therefrom.

6. An electric switch having movable contact means, ratchet means controlling the latter and including a stationary and a cooperating movable ratchet element, mechanism for releasing said ratchet meanswhile said contact means is stationary, and operative connections actuated by said mechanism having a single spring for thereafter moving both said movable contact means and said movable ratchet element relative to said stationary ratchet element.

'7. An electric switch having movable contact means, ratchet means controlling the latter and including an axially movable element, cam, mechanism for releasing said ratchet means while said contact means is stationary, and operative connections actuated by said mechanism having a single spring for thereafter moving both said movable contact means and said movable ratchet element into new positions, said spring being both tensioned and compressed upon operation of said cam mechanism and released upon release of said ratchet means.

8. An electric switch having movable contact movable in fixed planes, ratchet mechanism positioning the same in different positions having an axially movable element, an actuating member, and means including a single spring tensioned and compressed upon movement of said actuating member for moving said movable contact mechanism in said planes into a new position and actuating said axially movable element of said ratchet mechanism to hold said contact mechanism in the new position.

9. In a switch, contact mechanism having a stationary member and a rotary member held against axial movement, ratchet mechanism having a stationary member and a rotary member which is axially movable, a rotary transmitting member actuated by said movable ratchet member for turning the rotary contactv member, and actuating mechanism for the ratchet mechanism having Ia singlecoil, spring whichv istensioned forturningthe vmovable ratchet member and compressed for reseating said member. y

10.. In a switch, a reversely movable camfmemben-ratcheting mechanism` including a movable ratcheting member cooperating` with said cam member in either direction of movement thereof, and contact swinging and ratchet releasing and seatingv mechanism operative in either direction of.;movement ofsaid cam member including ya member -movable with saidcam member, a cooperating member movable with said movable ratcheting member, and a spring acting on both of said last named members and both tensioned and compressed upon movement of said Acam member. u A

11. Ina switch mechanism, aY ratchet plate, a movable cama spring pressed cam cooperating with said cam and having projecting means cooperating with said ratchet plate, movableV contactjmeans relative to which said cam is movable, means for swingingsaid means with said spring pressed cam when the latter is disengaged from said ratchet plate,.and ,means for positively actuating said spring pressed cam should said contactmeans not be completely swung by said swinging means. i

12.A In a switch, a frame having a ybottom and a covera swinging actuating member pivoted on said frame, snap actuating mechanism actuated by said actuating member and carried by said bottom withinsaid frame, a rotary commutator xed `against movement alongits axis .in said frame and disposed inplanes parallel to the path `ofsaid swinging member and actuatedby said snap actuating mechanism and carrying a series of 'contacts extending vradially in lopposite directionsfrom said'axis, and stationary contacts carried by said cover cooperating with the contacts on..said commutator. s

.13. In a switch,-a frame, anactuating member extending into said frame, snapv actuating mechanism actuated by said actuating member and within said .-frame, a rotary commutator xed. against axialmovement in said frame and actuated by said snap actuating mechanism and carrying a plurality of laterally projecting contacts extending radially inl opposite directions from said axis, a cover plate of insulating material carried by said frame, and stationary contacts carried by said cover plate and having depending portions extending within said frame and between contacts on said commutator.

14. In a switch, a frame, a swinging actuating member pivoted on said frame, snap actuating mechanism actuated by said actuating member and within said frame, a rotary commutator xed against axial movement in said frame and actuated by said snap actuating mechanism in planes parallel to the path of said swinging member, and stationary contacts carried bysaid frame cooperating with the contacts on said commutator, said commutator carrying a plurality of series of contacts insulated from one another and said stationary contacts including a contact engaged by one contact of one series in one position of said actuating member and by a contact of another series in another position of said members.

15. In a switch, a casing having upstanding sides and a bottom .and an open top, an actuat-.

ing member extending into said casing, snap actuating mechanism within said casing including spring means actuated by said actuating member, said actuating mechanism being carried on the bottom of said casing, a commutator within said casing, and carrying movable contacts actuated with a snap action by said spring means of said ractuating mechanism, and a cover plate closing r'the open top ofsaid casing and carried by said sides havingon said cover plate stationary contacts independent of said actuating mechanism and cooperating with contacts on said commutator.

16. A switch actuating mechanism comprising a ratcheting plate, a cooperating rotatable and axially movable spring pressed ratcheting member, a pivoted actuating member, and means operative thereby for actuating said movable ratcheting member comprising oppositely extending cams on said actuating member and oppositely extending camsv on said movable ratcheting member overlying said first cams and each having depending oppositely inclined portions each engaged by one of the cams on said actuating member. i

17. In a switch, actuating mechanism having an actuating member provided with an upstanding portion, cooperating ratcheting mechanism including an angularly and vertically movable ratcheting member movable upon operation of said .actuating member and having a projection movable with said vertically movable member and disposed adjacent said upstanding portion, a vsingle coiled spring disposed around the axis of said movable ratcheting member and compressed. upon vertical movement thereof and having opposite endsextending on opposite sides of both said portion and projection, and movable contact 'means engaged and actuated by said projection and said spring.

18. A switch actuating mechanism comprising a holding plate, a cooperating rotatable and axially movable spring pressed holding member, an actuating member, and means operative thereby for actuating said movable holding member comprising laterally and oppositely extending cams on said actuating member and laterally and oppositely extending cams on said movable holding member having depending oppositely inclined portions between which said first mentioned laterally extending cams are disposed.

19. Aswitch actuating mechanism ycomprising a ratcheting plate, a cooperating rotatable and axially movable spring pressed ratcheting member having peripherally projecting portions, a pivoted actuating member, and means operative thereby for actuating said movable ratcheting member, said ratcheting plate having an axial aperture therein and ratchet notches communicating with said aperture and receiving said peripherally projecting portions of said spring pressed ratcheting member in different positions, and said last mentioned means having rotatable cam means disposed in said aperture and operating said movable ratcheting member.

20. An electric switch having contact mechanism including contacts movable about a vertical axis, ratcheting mechanism comprising a stationary ratchet member and a movable ratchet member having projecting portions cooperating with said stationary member for positioning said contacts in different positions, actuating mechanism including an actuating arm having an actuating portion located between said stationary and movable ratchet members and an operating arm projecting outwardly between the projecting portions of said movable ratchet member and movable in reverse directions relative thereto for releasing said 'movable ratchet member, and an actuating spring having an operative connection between said movable ratchet member and said actuating arm for moving said ratchet member in the direction of movement of said actuating member following the release of the former by said actuating member.

21. An electric switch having contact mechanisrn including contacts movable about a vertical axis, ratcheting mechanism comprising a stationary ratchet member and a movable ratchet member having projections cooperating with said stationary ratchet member for positioning said contacts in different positions, an actuating arm extended between said stationary and movable ratchet members and movable in reverse directions for releasing said movable ratchet member, said movable ratchet member having its projections disposed on opposite sides of said actuating arm, and .an actuating spring having an operative connection between said movable ratchet member and said actuating arm for moving said movable ratchet member when the latter is released.

22. In an electric switch, a casing having a iixed spindle, contact mechanism including contacts movable about said spindle, ratcheting mechanism comprising a stationary ratchet member and a vertically movable ratchet member cooperating with said stationary member for positioning said contacts in different positions, actuating mechanism including an actuating member pivotally mounted on said spindle having its actuating portion located adjacent said movable ratchet member on the opposite side thereof from said movable contacts and movable in reverse directions for releasing said movable ratchet member, and an actuating spring having an operative connection between said movable ratchet member and said actuating member for moving said movable ratchet member whenever the latter is released by said actuating mechanism.

23. In an electric switch, a casing having a fixed spindle, stationary and movable contact mechanisms, ratcheting mechanism comprising a stationary ratchet member and ,a relatively vertically movable ratchet member cooperating with said stationary member for positioning said contact mechanism in different positions, actuating mechanism including an actuating arm movable about said fixed spindle and having an upstanding portion and cam portions on opposite sides of said spindle for raising said movable ratchet member to release the latter from said cooperating member, and a spring operatively connected between the upstanding portion of said actuating member and said movable ratchet member constantly urging said ratchet members into engagement and moving said movable ratchet member and movable contact mechanism in the direction of movement of said actuating member following releasing of said ratchet member.

24. In a switch, actuating mechanism having an actuating member provided with an upstanding portion, cooperating ratcheting mechanism including an angularly and vertically movable ratcheting member movable upon operation of said actuating member and having a projection movable with said vertically movable member and disposed adjacent said upstanding portion, a single coiled spring disposed around the axis of said movable ratcheting member and compressed upon vertical movement thereof and having opposite ends extending on opposite sides of both said portion and projection, movable contact means engaged and actuated by said projection and said spring, and a stationary stud extending axially through the switch and having all of the movable parts of the switch rotatable about the axis of said stud.

25. In a switch, a frame of conducting material, a cover plate of insulating material carried by said frame, a disc-like commutator member of insulating material swivelled in said frame to turn in a plane parallel to said cover plate. contact members on said commutator member having interconnected contact arms projecting peripherally from opposite faces of said member and providing pairs of opposing contacts, terminal members on said cover member having portions extending therethrough and into said frame and provided with inturned contact portions adapted to extend between and bridge opposing contacts of said commutator member, and means for swinging said commutator member with a snap action.

JOHANN G. PETERSON. 

